Aspects Influencing Food Intake and Approaches towards Personalising Nutrition in the Elderly

Abstract

Healthy diets have been demonstrated to complement benefits of physical activity, physical condition and mental wellbeing, all of them being important factors influencing the quality of life of elderly. Unfortunately malnutrition is a serious threat and an increasingly prevalent condition among the fast-growing elderly population. The present work addresses the identification of important factors contributing to decreased appetite and food intake as well as the development of approaches towards a healthy diet and personalised nutrition in elderly. Within the present study semi-structured interviews with elderly and elderly suffering from swallowing and mastication difficulties have been performed, results being used for the development of food provision modules and the corresponding recipes addressing the nutritional requirements of elderly. The social context and the swallowing and mastication difficulties influence the eating behaviour as well as the motivation to eat. On the other hand, it was found that texture modified foods (food which texture is adapted to the need of people with swallowing and mastication problems) could act as motivational aspect. With regard to food personalisation in the elderly the consideration of three different case scenarios based on individual independency and the degree of oral impairment seemed to be appropriate. Different aspects such as gender weight, physical activity level as well as high protein demand are important influential factors in the development of personalised recipes in elderly. In addition to the above, a conversational agent was developed as behaviour change module and can be successfully used as smart personal assistant in helping the users to understand their eating habits and adopt healthier nutrition over the long term.

Tannin Encapsulation for Personalized Product Applications

“…The final product targeted is a powder form that can be easily re-dispersed in water for personalization at an individual level [8][9][10][11][12][13].…”

Sodium and Potassium Intake in Residents of Retirement Homes

“…In contrast, a diminished taste perception may reduce the interest in food and consequently decrease the overall food (and salt) intake [74]. Indeed, a diminished food intake with aging has already been reported [66,67]. In US adults aged 20-69, 24 h urinary sodium excretion did not differ significantly with age when subjects were grouped into two age groups (20-44 and 45-69 years) [62].…”

“…The mean urinary potassium excretion in the present study was lower than in the studies listed above, probably due to a lower food intake. Namely, the daily food intake decreases with aging [66,67] and therefore residents of retirement homes are likely to consume less potassium than the younger population.…”

The Influence ofCandidaspp. in Intestinal Microbiota; Diet Therapy, the Emerging Conditions Related toCandidain Athletes and Elderly People

“…Further, oral candidiasis may lead to appetite decline, and this can limit the nutrient intake which can directly influence gut microbiota growth. Appetite decline can also be a consequence of other age-related physiological alterations [62]. The impaired masticatory efficiency produced by poor dental health and related pain, loss of teeth and muscle bulk, and lower sensitivity (including taste, smell, and sight) have a negative influence on appetite as food remains uninteresting [62,63].…”

“…Appetite decline can also be a consequence of other age-related physiological alterations [62]. The impaired masticatory efficiency produced by poor dental health and related pain, loss of teeth and muscle bulk, and lower sensitivity (including taste, smell, and sight) have a negative influence on appetite as food remains uninteresting [62,63]. Oropharyngeal and esophageal motility diminished the risk of swallowing impairments (e.g., dysphagia) and prevalence of gastroesophageal reflux.…”